The Official Magazine of the Bluewater Cruising Association

Vancouver Island Chapter

Vancouver Island Fleet Report: January 2021

Al Kitchen – VI Fleet Coordinator

Any doubts about the effectiveness of a virtual platform to host a tri-chapter Fleet meeting were thoroughly dispelled Thursday, January 14. The topic of navigation device choices was addressed with special attention to Open CPN, a mature, open-source Chart Plotter Navigation program. After Daragh Nagle discussed the broader topic of devices and systems available to […]

VI Chapter Fleet and Weather Groups Start Sept 23, 2020

This year has offered us a unique opportunity to take the time to prepare our boats for that offshore adventure. Participating in the Vancouver Island Chapter’s Fleet and Weather group may assist you in gathering the knowledge and experience to confidently set sail on your dream cruise when the pandemic becomes a thing of the […]

Vancouver Island Fleet Report: March 2020

Al Kitchen – VI Fleet Coordinator

Due to concerns regarding imminent surgery scheduling, we arranged for Al to lead discussions from March 4-15 with V.I. Fleet members on the topics of Weather Routing and the Paperwork of Clearing In & Out of Foreign Lands. The audience included 3 of the 6 new members who have joined V.I. Fleet recently and we […]

Vancouver Island Fleet Report: February 2020

Al Kitchen – VI Fleet Coordinator

If you are a sailor who does not have a fond memory of a dock side Potluck Feast with a crowd of like-minded adventurers, you need to get out more! It seems we all enjoy eating as much as we like sailing and on February 5 twelve members of the Vancouver Island Fleet group heard […]

Vancouver Island Fleet Report: January 2020

Al Kitchen – VI Fleet Coordinator

Well apparently, the 2019-20 BCA V.I. Fleet can perform very well without its coordinators! On Wednesday, December 8, with David Mitchell stepping in as moderator, while Daragh and I were warming our bones in southern climes, the group of twelve from eight vessels were schooled in Open CPN by Rudy Witt. Rudy has been a […]

Vancouver Island Fleet Report: December 2019

Al Kitchen – VI Fleet Coordinator

Through BCA, we are privileged to have access to a group of very knowledgeable and experienced individuals and on Wednesday night, December 4, our Vancouver Island Fleet group had the opportunity to meet two of these people. The first was Tony Gooch leading a discussion regarding Heavy weather Sailing and the preparations we should be […]

Vancouver Island Fleet Report: November 2019

Al Kitchen – VI Fleet Coordinator

There may be no other area more important to prepare for when it comes to offshore sailing than medical issues. Whether the issue is vaccinations prior to departure, medical supplies en-route, the stocking of a first aid kit, or a cascade of related concerns, aspiring offshore sailors are wise to be well informed in advance […]

Notice of BCA Annual General Meeting – December 11, 2019

Jennifer Handley

Notice is hereby given to all BCA members: Annual General Meeting and Election of Directors Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Time: 1930h (doors open at 1900h) Location:  Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver BC The business of the AGM will include a review of 2019 YE Financial Statements (BCA’s fiscal year ends on June 30), approval […]

Vancouver Island Fleet Report: October 2019

Al Kitchen – VI Fleet Coordinator

Twelve sailors from seven boats were in attendance on October 2 to hear about the learning experiences of six seasoned cruisers in the second meeting of the V.I. Fleet this year. Bjarne Hansen and Barb Peck developed a very comprehensive discussion of many crucial topics relevant to our group from their Pacific wanderings. Michael & […]

Vancouver Island Fleet Report: September 2019

Al Kitchen – VI Fleet Coordinator

Wednesday night, September 25, a group of 21 sailors from 13 boats convened the first V.I. Fleet meeting of this season. Our education coordinator, Trina Holt, made certain the gang was aware of the opportunities she and Lionel had organized for the upcoming year and she also discussed the spreadsheets she and David had developed […]

VI Fleet Rendezvous 2019

Al Kitchen – VI Fleet Coordinator

In preparation for many of the joys and challenges they may face offshore, a group from the Vancouver Island 2018/19 Fleet met at Port Browning over the April 12 -14 weekend. How better to get such an event rolling than with a potluck get together on the dock? Saturday’s events included a typical cruising tradition […]

Vancouver Island Fleet Report: April 2019

Al Kitchen – VI Fleet Coordinator

The RVYC pasta night was a wonderful way to start our final VI fleet meeting for 2019 and several of the 16 sailors attending partook of the opportunity for a good feed on April 3rd. After the usual upcoming education announcements, Chris Stask again demonstrated his “Show & Tell” prowess with his home made kellets […]